Own or drive this car?

3.0 V6 Super 4dr

Tony Rome
Date:
01/11/2007

Overall verdict

4
out of 5 stars

What's it like to drive

5
out of 5 stars

Running costs

4
out of 5 stars

Quality, practicality and equipment

5
out of 5 stars

My car

What Car? states you should avoid the 3 litre Lusso and take the TS. I disagree entirely! If you're looking for economy, you should not buy a 166 at all. The whole reason to own an Alfa is to hear that wonderful V6 engine sing!

I have owned my 166 Super (the 3-litre, 6-speed manual gearbox version) for 2 years and this car is phenomenal. It's fast, luxurious and a very rare sight everywhere except in Italy. It gets envious looks and makes the German marques look very dull indeed.

It has elegance in its design and the interior is something to behold. It has a beautiful MOMO leather interior with embossed Alfa crest and stylish two-tone dashboard design. It's also fully loaded. The Super has 17" alloys, full electrics, power fold-back mirrors, electric, heated leather seats, climate control, ICS with colour screen, navigation, xenon headlamps, a 10 speaker stereo with subwoofer, CD multichanger, automatic wipers and more.

Ah, but the reliability, I hear you cry! My car is 8 years old and has covered 120K miles. Apart from regular servicing, I've replaced the radiator and re-gassed the air conditioning. That's it!

This car is a brilliant GT; I have driven from the UK across to eastern Germany without stopping overnight and felt fresh upon arrival. Effortless power - 150mph (250km/h) on the Autobahns - but also SOUL, something German or Japanese cars can only dream about...

3.2 V6 Lusso 4dr

Richard Forster
Date:
06/03/2005

Overall verdict

3
out of 5 stars

What's it like to drive

4
out of 5 stars

Running costs

3
out of 5 stars

Quality, practicality and equipment

3
out of 5 stars

My car

The Alfa 166 is a striking-looking car. Following the recent face-lift, it has an agressive nose, and with 18-inch wheels, it has more presence than most of its rivals in the class.

I purchased my company 3.2 Lusso as an ex-demo with 5000 miles on the clock. In this way, the depreciation worked in my favour. If it was my own money however, my girlfriend would probably have persuaded me to own something a little more 'sensible'.

Inside, the car is very comfortable, however the quality of the build is questionable. Mine has suffered from several rattles and creaks, which my dealer seems unwilling to rectify.

Performance is superb, with a glorious engine note and manic torque steer. All in all, it's a flawed master, that you'll love and hate with equal measure.